Share via

The business of fixing leaks and filling in potholes almost got sexy in the
City yesterday with the prospect of a contested bid battle for May Gurney,
the East Anglian maintenance company.

A potential takeover contest between the construction companies Costain and
Kier has also put the spotlight on whether Baroness Ford, May Gurney’s
chairwoman, had done enough to spark a bidding war.

Late on Tuesday evening, Costain and May Gurney announced an agreed £380
million all-share merger that priced May Gurney stock about 35 per cent
higher than current trading. The deal followed talks that had been going on